Smithsonian Institution Staff Disaster Preparedness Procedures

prepared by SI Office of Risk Management, October 1992, revised, October 1993

Introduction

This handbook provides a brief overview of the types of disasters posing a
potential threat to staff. NOTE: This handbook does not contain emergency
procedures for cultural items. These emergency procedures are intended to assist
individuals in understanding what to expect and what to do initially. The
information in this booklet is provided primarily as guidance in the event a
disaster occurs at work. However, these same procedures can be applied to
situations at home and when traveling.

Should an emergency occur, evacuation of the facility may be necessary.
Evacuation routes for facilities should be displayed throughout staff work
areas. All personnel should study these procedures carefully.

Emergency Telephone Numbers...

Staff Evacuation Procedures

When evacuation alarm sounds or you are directed to evacuate the
facility:

Remain calm.

Shut down all hazardous operations.

Follow instructions.

Assist disabled persons.

Leave the area in an orderly fashion. Close doors, but do not lock.

Follow established evacuation routes.

Move away from the structure. Go directly to the assembly area (map
provided with plan). Report to the Evacuation Coordinator for a "head count".

Do not block the street or driveway.

Stay at the assembly area until instructed otherwise.

Assembly Area Locations...

Fire

In case of a fire:

Remain calm.

Contact the Fire Department.

If the fire is small, try to extinguish it with the proper type of
extinguisher or other method. Do not jeopardize personal safety.

Do not allow the fire to come between you and the exit.

Disconnect electrical equipment if it is on fire and it is safe to do so.

Notify the supervisor and evacuation coordinator, if possible.

Evacuate if you can not extinguish the fire. Assist disabled persons.

Do not break windows.

Do not open a hot door. (Before opening a door, touch it near the top. If
it is hot or if smoke is visible, do not open.)

- Don't be daring or foolhardy. Rather than risk being stalled, lost, or
isolated, stop, turn back or seek help if conditions threaten to test your
ability or endurance.

- If the vehicle breaks down, or you become lost, or stalled:

- Don't panic! Think the situation through, and decide the safest and
best thing to do. Then do it slowly and carefully.

- If on a well travelled road, indicate you are in trouble (e.g., hazard
flashers, raised hood, hanging cloth from radio aerial or window. Then stay in
the car and wait for help to arrive. If you run the engine to keep warm, keep
snow away from the exhaust pipe and keep a window open enough to provide
sufficient ventilation.

- Wherever you are, if there is no house or other source of help in
sight, do not leave the car to search for assistance. It is very easy to
become disoriented and lost during a severe storm.

2. If at home --

- Listen to the local radio/TV for weather advisories.

- Plan ahead before the storm arrives; prepare for possible isolation for
a couple of days. Ensure you have on hand or the proper working condition of:

- Blankets, some kind of emergency heating equipment and adequate supply
of fuel

- Food and water, emergency cooking equipment. (It's better to have some
foods that do not require cooking or other preparation);

- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries, flashlights/lanterns and
extra batteries/fuel; and

- Simple tools for fire fighting.

- Move indoors any items located outside which might be damaged by the
storm.

Do not move seriously injured persons, unless they are in immediate danger
(fire, building collapse, etc.)

Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects.

Do not use elevators.

Avoid using the telephone, except in a life threatening situation.

Do not use matches or lighters.

Do not re-enter the affected area until directed by emergency preparedness
personnel.

Do not spread rumors.

Major Transportation Accident

Major transportation accidents are those involving any of the various modes
of transportation (e.g., highways, waterways, railways, and airways). Such
accidents could occur at any time and any place, and often involve multiple
injuries and/or deaths.

Many facilities are not prepared (and are not expected to be prepared) to
cope with the type of problems created by a major transportation accident.
Should such a disaster occur, initiate life-saving and property protection
actions until assistance can be provided from the community. For example,
security personnel are trained to extinguish small fires and to ensure the safe
evacuation of the public. The medical staff and/or persons trained in first aid
can attend injured persons. Also, during regular work hours, the staff can
implement appropriate measures to protect the collections and other physical
assets.

Should a major transportation accident occur, many decisions regarding the
appropriate emergency actions to take will have to be made "on-the-spot" based
on the situation. For instance, are hazardous materials involved and/or are
there casualties? Is there a need to evacuate? Is there damage to the facility
itself and/or are the utilities functioning? For the appropriate protective
actions to take for a specific hazard (i.e., fire, hazardous materials,
explosions, utility failure, etc.) refer to the respective section in this
booklet.

Earthquake

If an earthquake should occur:

During The Shaking --

1. If indoors

- Stay there.

- Take cover under sturdy furniture (desks, work tables, etc.) or in a
supported doorway.

- Stay near the center of the building.

- Do not run for the exit as the stairs may be broken or jammed with
people.

- Do not use candles, matches, or other open flame as there may be gas
leaks.

- Extinguish all fires with the proper type of extinguisher or other
method.

2. If outdoors

- Move to an open area away from buildings, utility wires, trees, etc.

- If forced to stand near a building, watch for falling objects.

3. If driving a vehicle

- Stop as quickly as safety permits, avoiding overpasses and power lines.

- Remain in the car until the shaking stops.

- If able to drive on after the shaking stops, watch for hazards which may
have been created by the earthquake (e.g., fallen/falling objects, downed
utility wires, under-mined roadways, damaged bridges/overpasses).

This publication was produced as a public service. It may be reproduced and
distributed freely in part or in its entirety. When duplicating individual
articles please copy them exactly as they appear so that proper credit will be
given to the originating institution.

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